TNT Develops FRANKENSTEIN Series Based on Dean Koontz Novels; Picks Up Frank Darabont’s L.A. NOIR, Plus the First Official Image from the Series

TNT is looking to further reshape the television landscape by developing Dean Koontz’s best-selling Frankenstein novels into a series and putting a six-episode series order on L.A. Noir, officially returning Frank Darabont (The Walking Dead) to TV. James V. Hart (Dracula, Hook) and his son Jake Hart will script the modern-day retelling of the Mary Shelley mythology for the Frankenstein series. Set in New Orleans, the story centers on a war between Dr. Victor Frankenstein and his monstrous creation, Helios. Each survived a fight in the arctic 200 years ago, but the not-so-good doctor has been busy crafting an army of creatures that answer only to him. The two sides resume their war with New Orleans caught in the middle. Deadline reports that the elder Hart makes his series writing debut with Frankenstein, making him the most recent feature talent to transition to the small screen. Hit the jump for more on Frankenstein as well as news on Darabont’s L.A. Noir.

Check out the book description for Koontz’ first Frankenstein novel, Prodigal Son (via Amazon):

Every city has secrets. But none as terrible as this. His name is Deucalion, a tattooed man of mysterious origin, a sleight-of-reality artist who’s traveled the centuries with a secret worse than death. He arrives as a serial killer stalks the streets, a killer who carefully selects his victims for the humanity that is missing in himself. Detective Carson O’Connor is cool, cynical, and every bit as tough as she looks. Her partner Michael Maddison would back her up all the way to Hell itself–and that just may be where this case ends up. For the no-nonsense O’Connor is suddenly talking about an ages-old conspiracy, a near immortal race of beings, and killers that are more—and less—than human. Soon it will be clear that as crazy as she sounds, the truth is even more ominous. For their quarry isn’ t merely a homicidal maniac—but his deranged maker.

TNT has also put in a six-episode series order for L.A. Noir, according to EW. The Walking Dead creator, who was cut down as a showrunner on the AMC hit series, will be reunited with [spoiler alert…but you really should be caught up on TWD by now] two other actors who’ve had their characters killed off: Jon Bernthal and Jeffrey DeMunn. Also joining the series adaptation of the John Buntin book, L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America’s Most Seductive City,” will be Heroes alumnus, Milo Ventimiglia, along with Jeremy Strong, Neal McDonough and the always-entertaining Simon Pegg (at least for the pilot episode). Be sure to check out the first official image from the series (via The Playlist) after the synopsis below:

This new series tells the true story of a decades-long conflict between the Los Angeles Police Department, under the determined leadership of Police Chief William Parker, and ruthless criminal elements led by Mickey Cohen, a one-time boxer who rose to the top of L.A.’s criminal world. The new drama stars Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead) as Joe Teague, an ex-Marine now working as an LAPD cop in an era rampant with police corruption. Jeffrey DeMunn (The Walking Dead, The Shawshank Redemption) plays Det. Hal Morrison, who heads up the LAPD’s new mob squad, with Jeremy Strong (The Happening, Lincoln) as Det. Mike Hendry, Morrison’s second in command. Neal McDonough (Captain America, Desperate Housewives) is Capt. William Parker, Teague’s boss who is determined to weed out corruption and bring down Mickey Cohen. And Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes) plays Ned Stax, who fought alongside Teague during World War II but who now works as a lawyer with connections to the mob. In the pilot, Simon Pegg (Star Trek, Shaun of the Dead) guest-stars as Hecky Nash, a third-rate comedian and mob hanger-on.